Past Podcast Episodes

The 2021 holiday season is underway, and the availability of the COVID-19 vaccines means that this year, many of us are getting caught up in cooking, eating, drinking, shopping, and connecting face-to-face with family and friends. For some of us, it also means having that important but sometimes-awkward conversation about vaccine status.

For too many people, ‘tis the season….to feel stressed. Stress can feel overwhelming and make everyday life challenging for anyone, but it can be especially challenging if you're living with an unpredictable disease like multiple sclerosis.

Megan Weigel, DNP

Returning to the podcast to share strategies that we can use to identify and manage stress when it strikes is advanced registered nurse practitioner, Megan Weigel. Megan specializes in neurological care, and she brings a unique integrative medicine and holistic nursing perspective to her practice.

We'll also share results of a study that shows you may already have everything you need to help reduce MS-related fatigue.

We'll tell you about research that shows that a low-cost over-the-counter product is effective in helping people living with MS get more and better-quality sleep.

We'll share the details of a new report that explains how systemic inequities have a direct effect on caregivers in minority communities.

And we'll give you the details about a new service from Amazon that turns your Alexa device into a caregiver's best partner.

We have a lot to talk about! Are you ready for RealTalk MS??!

A study reveals a simple non-pharmaceutical method to help reduce MS-related fatigue 1:06

This over-the-counter remedy has been shown to help you get more and better quality sleep 2:56

The National Alliance for Caregiving issues a new report identifying the systemic challenges facing caregivers in minority communities: 5:54

The new Amazon Together service can be an MS caregiver's best partner 7:23

Megan Weigel shares tips and strategies for reducing stress during the holiday season…and beyond 10:33

Share this episode 24:35

Have you downloaded the free RealTalk MS app??? 24:55

SHARE THIS EPISODE OF REALTALK MS

Just copy this link & paste it into your text or email: https://realtalkms.com/224

ADD YOUR VOICE TO THE CONVERSATION

I've always thought about the RealTalk MS podcast as a conversation. And this is your opportunity to join the conversation by sharing your feedback, questions, and suggestions for topics that we can discuss in future podcast episodes. Please shoot me an email or call the RealTalk MS Listener Hotline and share your thoughts!

Email: jon@realtalkms.com
Phone: (310) 526-2283

And don't forget to join us in the RealTalk MS Facebook group!

LINKS

If your podcast app doesn't allow you to click on these links, you'll find them in the show notes in the RealTalk MS app or at www.RealTalkMS.com

National MS Society COVID-19 Vaccine Guidance for People Living with MS
https://www.nationalmssociety.org/coronavirus-covid-19-information/multiple-sclerosis-and-coronavirus/covid-19-vaccine-guidance

National MS Society Third COVID-19 Vaccine Dose Guidance for People Living with MS
https://www.nationalmssociety.org/About-the-Society/News/Additional-COVID-19-Vaccine-Dose-(Booster)-and-MS

First Coast Integrative Medicine
https://firstcoastintegrativemedicine.com

STUDY: Effects of Exercise on Fatigue in Multiple Sclerosis: A Network Meta-Analysis Comparing Different Types of Exercise
https://archives/pmr.org/article/S0003-9993(21)01417-9/fulltext#%20

National MS Society: Exercise and Physical Activity Recommendations for ALL People with MS
https://nationalmssociety.org/About-the-Society/News/Exercise-and-Physical-Activity-Recommendations-for

STUDY: Effects of Melatonin on Sleep Disturbances in Multiple Sclerosis: A Randomized, Controlled Pilot Study
https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/20552173211048756

Caregiving in a Diverse America: Beginning to Understand the Systemic Challenges Facing Family Caregivers
https://www.caregiving.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/NAC_AmgenDiverseCaregiversReport_FinalDigital-112121.pdf

Amazon Together
https://amazon.com/Alexa-Together/b?ie=UTF8&node=21390531011

Join the RealTalk MS Facebook Group
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Download the RealTalk MS App for iOS Devices
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RealTalk MS Episode 224
Guests: Megan Weigel, DNP

Tags: MS, MultipleSclerosis, MSResearch, MSSociety, RealTalkMS

Privacy Policy

If you're living with MS, you know by now that quitting smoking, getting exercise, and making smart food choices have all been shown to improve your physical health and your quality of life. There's one more tool that, when necessary, can be a game-changer.

Joining me to talk about how assistive technology can help people living with MS maintain their independence and improve their quality of life are assistive technology experts Alex Burnham and Bill Binko.

We'll also share one more reason why your most important preparation for the holiday season this year is making sure you're fully vaccinated.

We'll tell you about the International Progressive MS Alliance's proposal for coordinating global progressive MS research.

We'll share the results of a study that shows a significant percentage of older people living with MS who discontinue their DMT experience disease worsening and progression.

We'll tell you about a new grant that's been awarded to study adherence to MS oral disease-modifying therapies.

And you'll hear about the results of a study that shows an association between low levels of vitamin D and cognitive dysfunction at the onset of MS.

We have a lot to talk about! Are you ready for RealTalk MS??!

There's a new reason to be vaccinated! 3:43

International Progressie MS Alliance's proposal for a global progressive MS research agenda 6:57

My goodbye to the Progressive MS Alliance Scientific Steering Committee 8:16

A study shows that older people who discontinue DMTs suffer disease worsening and progression 9:56

Researcher receives $100,000 to study MS oral DMT adherence 12:39

A study shows low levels of Vitamin D are associated with cognitive dysfunction at the onset of MS 15:22

Alex Burnham and Bill Binko discuss how assistive technology can be a difference-maker for people living with MS 18:51

Share this episode 37:47

Have you downloaded the free RealTalk MS app??? 38:08

SHARE THIS EPISODE OF REALTALK MS

Just copy this link & paste it into your text or email: https://realtalkms.com/223

ADD YOUR VOICE TO THE CONVERSATION

Email: jon@realtalkms.com
Phone: (310) 526-2283

And don't forget to join us in the RealTalk MS Facebook group!

LINKS

If your podcast app doesn't allow you to click on these links, you'll find them in the show notes in the RealTalk MS app or at www.RealTalkMS.com

National MS Society COVID-19 Vaccine Guidance for People Living with MS
https://www.nationalmssociety.org/coronavirus-covid-19-information/multiple-sclerosis-and-coronavirus/covid-19-vaccine-guidance

National MS Society Third COVID-19 Vaccine Dose Guidance for People Living with MS
https://www.nationalmssociety.org/About-the-Society/News/Additional-COVID-19-Vaccine-Dose-(Booster)-and-MS

Charting a Global Research Strategy for Progressive MS — An International Progressive MS Alliance Proposal
https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/13524585211059766

STUDY: Discontinuation of Disease-Modifying Therapies is Associated with Disability Progression Regardless of Prior Stable Disease and Age
https://www.msard-journal.com/article/S2211-0348(21)00673-8/fulltext

STUDY: Real World Adherence To, and Persistence With, Once- and Twice-Daily Oral Disease Modifying Drugs in Patients with Multiple Sclerosis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
https://bmcneurol.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12883-020-01830-0

STUDY: Serum Vitamin D as a Marker of Impaired Information Processing Speed and Early Disability in Multiple Sclerosis Patients
https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3425/11/11/1521/htm